August 22, 2000: Illinois State Board of Health Carterville Hearing Testimony
From Barbara Alexander Mullarkey, IVAC spokesperson

My name is Barbara Alexander Mullarkey and I am spokeswoman for the Illinois Vaccine Awareness Coalition. Illinois Vaccine Awareness Coalition members ask State Board of Health members to recommend rejection of the chicken pox vaccination mandate to Illinois Department of Public Health director, John Lumpkin, M.D.

On an ethical point, I ask all participants to testify about any and all financial ties to vaccine manufacturers-grants, contracts, hororia, travel expenses, stock, etc. These conflicts of interest on a federal or state level are unacceptable. Out of present and former members of the Immunization Advisory Committee, eight have financial ties to the vaccine/drug industry.

Regarding the draft amendments, the day care, like the college criteria, for religious belief exemptions are inconsistent with that of grammar and high school. IVAC members object to the provision that parents of day care children have to be a member or adherent of a "recognized church" or "religious organization," IDPH admits there is no definition of a recognized church" or a "religious organization."

IVAC members object to a school district member deciding to accept or reject religious belief vaccination exemptions without stated criteria.

IVAC members object to an IDPH staff member deciding to accept or reject a medical exemption.

IVAC members object to mandating the chicken pox vaccine for many reasons. Its ingredients, i.e., fetal bovine serum, hydrolyzed gelatin, monosodium glutamate, aborted fetal lung tissue cell, remain untested for safety, either singly or combine.

According to Merck's vaccine package insert, no evaluation exists for cancer-causing or mutagenic potential or for fertility impairment. Data is unknown for reproduction capacity, animal reproduction studies, effectiveness and need for a booster dose. There are no placebo-controlled studies in children, adolescents and adults (1995 package insert).

Because a vaccinated person may transmit the vaccine's live virus to close contacts, the manufacturer warns vaccinated people to avoid newborns, pregnant women and immuno-compromised persons.

With 367 new vaccines and 162 AIDS vaccines added to 97 marketed ones, how many vaccinations can a child endure without injury or death?

IVAC members asks State Board of Health members to reject the chicken pox vaccination mandate.

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